Signboard



E. H. FAHRNEY SIGNBOARD Filed April 14. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z7 iii/26y Dec. 1 1,517,551

E. H. FAHRNEY SIGNBOARD Filed April 14. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ill) ill

EMERY H. FAHHNTEY, 0}? CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

site-nreoenn.

Application fi led April 14, 1823.

7 "0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. Earner H. Fnnjnunr, a citizen of the United States. residing at Chicago, in the county of Cool; and State of Illinois. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signbcards of which the following is a specification.

Heretofore sign boards, and especially large sign boards have been constructed of a frame to which are secured panels usually of sheet material, carrying thereon the matter to be displayed. These panels being subjected at all times to the e-len'ients often buckle or warp. with the result that the sign board not only becomes unsightly but the ad vertising matter displayed thereon becomes distorted. move the buckled panel and substitute a new one therefor, which latter will in a comparatively short time also buckle or become warped. 7

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved sign board of this character embodying panels constructed of sheet material, and improved means for securing the panels in position upon the frame, whereby the panels will be supported by or anchored at one end to the supporting structure, while the other end of the panel is detached from or free with respect to the supporting structure.

A. further object is to provide an improved sign board of this character embodying means operating to exert a stress upon the free end of the panel in such a manner as to normally tend to inaintain'the body of the panel. rigid or taut and thereby overcome any tendency of the elements to buckle or warp the panel.

A further object is to provide an improved sign board of this character in which the panels may be separately and readily removed when desired and as readily replaced in position.

To the attainment of these ends and the ac coinplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features oi novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention. and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a portion of a sign board constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention; por- It then becomes necessary to re- Serial No. 631,974.

tions of the board and one of the panels being removed.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of a portion of the supportingstructure and one of the panels.

Figure 4; is a perspective view taken from the front of one of the panels.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the first step of inserting or placing one of thepanels in position upon the supporting structure.

Figure 6 is a view showingv one of the panclsreplaced in position.

Figure 7 is an enlarged. vertical sectional view on line 7-7, Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a detail, horizontal, sectional view taken on line 88, Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a horizontal. sectional view taken on line 99, Figure 7.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 15 designates a supporting structure for the sign which may be of any desired size and configuration and constructed of any suitable material. Arranged at the top of the structure is a moulding 16, which is spaced from the supporting structure so as to form a recess 17 between the i'noulding and the supporting structure and into which recess one end of the panels are inserted in a manner to he hereinafter set forth. Spaced below the moulding 16 for any desired distance is a sup fiorting ledge 18. upon which the panels are supported.

The frame thus formed may be of any desired size and the panels 19 are adapted to be arranged within the frame. These panels may be of any desired size and. configiiiration but are preferably of a size as to enable them to be readily handled. As the construction of each of the panels is the same. the description of one will apply equally as wellto them all. I

The panel 19 embodies. a body portion which is constructed of'sheet material preferably of a slightly flexible nature, such as metal or the like. although any other sheet material suitable forthe purpose may be em ployed. I

Secured adjacent one end of the panel is a re-inforcing member 20 preferably in the form of a channel iron. This channel iron is arranged at the rear of the panel and the panel is secured thereto in any desired or suitable manner preferably by means of fasill tening devices 21. Arranged at the opposite end of the panel is another channel iron 22, which extends across the back thereof and is secured to the end of the panel by means of suitable fastening devices ..3. Anchored to the channel iron 20 is a bar or member pref erably constructed of sections 24.25, the proximate ends of these sections being preferably adjustably connected in any suitable manner, such as by means of a. turn buckle 26. The free end of the member 2 is anchored to the channel bar in any suitable manner preferably by passing through one of the flanges thereof and is held. in position by means of suitable fastening nuts or collars 27, arranged on opposite sides of the flange of the channel iron.

Connected with the free end of the member is a yoke or clip 28. This yoke or clip is preferably pivotally connected as at 29 to permit of a slightly yielding movement of the clip or the yoke with respect to the member 25.

An elastic element 30, preferably in the form of a leaf spring is connected inter mediate its ends with the yoke or clip 28, the free extremities 31 of the element abutting one edge or flange of the channel member 22 at the opposite end of the panel 19. As a means for maintaining the element 30 against displacement with respect to the channel member 22, any suitable yielding fastening means may be provided, such as a key hole slot 32, provided in each end of the element 30. Carried by the channel member are headed bolts 33, which depend therefrom and are adapted to enter the key hole slots 32.

The elastic element 30 is normally placed under tension by reason of the fact that one end of the member 2 1 is anchored to the channel 20 and the elastic element being connected with the other member 25 and resting against the channel 22 will exert its stress upon the channel member 22 in a direction lengthwise of the panel 19, and thereby hold the panelrigid or taut. The stress of the elastic member 30 may be varied by adjusting the turn buckle 26. By the provision of the key hole slots 32, the elastic element 30 may be readily detached from the channel member 22, whenever desired.

If desired and as an additional means for preventing buckling, warping, or twisting of the body portion of the panel 19, one or more bars or members 3 1 may be provided, and to that end the flanges of the channel member 20 may be provided with registermg openings, through which one end of the member 34; passes. Fastening pins 35 may be passed through suitable openings in the member 34, withinthe channel member 20 and in proximity to the flanges thereof for Inaintaining v the member. 34: against longitudinal movement with respect to the channel member 20. The channel member 2&1 is also provided with registering openings through which the free end of the member 3 1 loosely passes. Any number of these members 34 may be provided but it is preferable to provide one such member adjacent each of the longitudinal edges of the panel.

This construction will not interfere with the movement of the free end of the panel 19 with respect to the members 34.

In use, the matter to be displayed may be placed upon the panel when the same is detached from the supporting structure and all of the panels may be prepared and then placed upon the supporting structure.

In assembling, each of the panels is placed upon the supporting structure by first pass ing the upper end thereof beneath the moulding 16 and into the space 17, as shown in Figure 5, after which the lower edge of the panel is placed upon the supporting ledge 18 and then moved backwardly to a position to preferably abut a stop 36 arranged at the rear of the ledge 18 or. into the position shown in Figure 6. Any suitable means may be provided for holding the lower edge of the panel from moving forwardly upon the ledge 18. A suitable and efficient means for that purpose embodies a plug or dowel pin 37, which is adapted to be inserted in an opening 38 through theledge 18 and arranged in advance of the face of the lower end of the panel, as shown more clearly in Figure 6.

If desired the lower edges of the panel may be covered or protected by means of a suitable moulding 39, which may be of. a continuous strip as shown in Figure 1, or may be constructed in sections 10 as shown in Figure 5. If constructed in the continuous strip the moulding will extend across the base of all of the panels but if constructed in sections 10, as shown in Figure 5, there may be provided a section of moulding for each panel. The moulding is connected with the supporting ledge for pivotal movement with respect thereto in any desired or suitable manner such by means of hinges 41 to permit the moulding to be freely moved into and out of position.

The lower face 42 of the moulding is so constructed that when the moulding is fold ed against the end of the panel and into the position shown in Figure 7, it will extend over the dowel pin 37 and a space. 413 will be formed between the lower edge of the panel and the moulding for the reception ofthe end of the dowel pin.

hen it is desired to remove the panel. the moulding, or the respective sections thereof, may be swung about their hinges tothe position shownin Figure 5, after which the dowel. 37 may be: removed to perm-1t the lower edge of the panel to be moved outwardly shown in Figure 5, after which the panel may be readily detached.

With this improved construction it willbe manifest that the tension or stress of the elastic member 30 will at all timesbe exerted upon one end of the panel 19 and inasmluch as the stress of this elastic member is also exerted upon the other end of the panel, through the medium of the anchoring-of the member 2% to the channel 520, it will be readily seen, that the body portion of the panel will be held rigid or taut. and will thereby hold the panel against warping or twisting under the influence of the elements. This construction also permits of the use of comparatively light sheet material for use in constructing the panels. This construction also permits the painter or illustrator to produce the design or matter to be displayed upon the sign before the panels are assembled upon the supporting structure and when. any one or more of the panels become injured or the matter displayed thereon becomes disfigured any one or more of the panels may be readily removed without interfering with any of the other panels.

If desired the proximate longitudinal edges of adjacent panels may be interlocked, that is to say, one of the panels maybe provided with a lip or projection 4A (see particularly Figure 8) which is adapted to project behind the edge of the next ad; j acent panel and at the same time these lips will not interfere with the removal. of the panels. These lips are not necessary for a successful operation'of this device but may be employed if desired.

li hile the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of. this invention.

hat is claimed as new is 1.. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material and supported by one edge upon the said structure, the opposite edge of the panel being free with respect to the supporting structure, resilient means operating upon the said free edge of the panel for maintaining the body portion of the panel taut, and means whereby the stress of the said resilient means may be varied. I i

2-. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material and supported by one edge upon the said structure, the opposite edge of the panel being free with respect to the supporting structure, resilient means operating upon the said free edge of the panel for maintaining the body portion of the panel taut,

means detachably securing the said resilient means to the said free edge of the panel, and means whereby the stress of the resilient means may be varied.

3. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material and supported by one edge upon the structure, the opposite edge of the panel structure, the opposite edge of the panel being freely movable with respect to the supporting structure, a tensioning device for maintaining the body of the said panel taut,

the said tensioning devicebeing connected with the said adjustable end of the paneland also with a fixed abutment, and means forming a guide for the said adjustable end of the panel.

5. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material and supported by one edge upon the structure, the opposite edge of the panel being freely movable with respect to the supporting structure, a tensioning device for maintaining the body of the said panel taut, the said tensioning device being connected with the said adjustable end of the panel and also with a fixed abutment, and

embodying a resilient element and a rigid element, the latter operating to place a-stress upon the said resilient element.

6. A; sign board embodying a sup iiorting structure, a panel constructed of sheet ma terial and supported by one edge upon the structure, the opposite eege of the panel being freely movable with respect to the supporting structure, a. tensioning device for maintaining the body of the said: paneltaut. the said'tensioning device being connected with the said adjustable end of the panel and'also witha fixed abutment, and embodying a resilient element and an adjustable element, the latter operating to place a stress upon the said resilient element and being adapted to vary the said stress.

7. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material, means supporting one edge of the panel upon the said structure, the other end of the panel being freely movable with respect to the supporting structure, a tensioning device embodying a resilient ele- -ment, and means anchoring the said element to a fixed abutment whereby the stress of the resilient element will be exerted upon the said freely movable edge of the panel, the said tensioning device being substantially disposed Within the confines of the edges of the said panel.

8. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material, means supporting one edge of the panel upon the said structure, the other end of the panel being freely movable with respect to the supporting structure, a tensioning device embodying a resilient element, means anchorin'g the said element to a fixed abutment whereby the stress of the resilent element will be exerted upon the said freely movable edge of the panel, the said tensioning device being substantially disposed Within the confines of the edges of the said panel, and means whereby the stress of the said tensioning device may be varied.

9. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material, means supporting the panel by one edge upon the said structure, the opposite edge of the panel being freely movable With respect to the supporting structure, a shoulder adjacent the last recited edge of the panel, an anchor member, a fixed abutment adjacent the supporting edge of the panel and to Which abutment the said anchor member is connected, and a resilient element connected with the anchor member and en gaging the said shoulder on the panel for maintaining the panel substantially rigid or taut. I 7

10. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material, means supporting the panel by one edge upon the said structure, the opposite edge ofthe panel being freely movable ivith respect to the supporting structure, "a shoulder adjacent the last recited edgeof the panel, an anchor member, a fixed abutment adjacent the supporting edge of the panel and to which abutment the said anchor member is connected, a resilient element connected with the anchor member and engaging the. said shoulder on the panel for maintaining the panel taut, and means for varying the stress of the said resilient element.

11. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material, means supporting the panel by one edge upon the said structure, the opposite edge of the panel being freely movable with respect to the supporting structure, a shoulder adjacent the last recited edge of the panel, an anchor member, a fixed abutment adjacent the supporting edge of the panel and to which abutment the said anchor member is connected, and a resilient element connected With the anchor member and engaging the said shoulder on the panel for maintaining the panel taut, the said anchor member embodying sections adjustable one With relation to the other to vary the stress of the said resilient element.

12. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material, said panel being supported by one end upon the said structure, the opposite endof the panel being free with respect to the supporting structure, means cooperating With the said free end of the panel for exerting a stress in a direction lengthwise of the panel, and one or more guide rods extending across the back of the panel for ass ing in maintaining the panel againstbuckling.

13. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a panel constructed of sheet material, said panel being supported by one end upon the said structure, the opposite end of the panel being free With respect to the sup- {)Ol'tllig structure, means eo-ruoerating with the said free end of the panel for exerting a stress in a direction lengthwise of the panel, and one or more guide rods extending across the back of the panel for assisting in maintaining the panel against buckling, one end of the rods being connected with one end of the panel, the other end of the rods having a loose connection with the panel whereby one end of the said panel and the adjacent portions of the rods will be movable one With relation to the other.

14. A sign board embodying a supporting structure, a supporting ledge on the structure, an overhanging projection spaced above the said ledge, a panel men'iber, one edge of the panel being adapted to be inserted under the said overhanging projec' tion, to permit the opposite edge of the panel to be moved backivardly upon the said ledge, there being an opening through the ledge in advance of the lower edge of the panel When the latter is positioned upon the ledge, a removable fastening device adapted to be inserted in said opening in advance of the adjacent edge of the panel, and a moulding hinged to the said ledge to be moved out of the Way to permit the lower edge of the panel to be moved forwardly, said moulding being adapted to be folded over the said fastening device and against the lower end of said panel.

In. testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name to this specification, on this 12th day of April, 1923.

EMERY H. FAHRNEY. 

